January 14 Letters: Atrocities in Paris that shook world

THE whole world has been shocked by the recent actions of fanatical Islamists in France. This has followed on the matter of the “Trojan Horse” in schools in Birmingham, again signs of Islamist fanaticism.

GP Taylor wrote a very balanced article “Why faith has no place in our schools” (The Yorkshire Post, January 7). As an Anglican priest, I do not believe that all religions are of equal value but that is now becoming the accepted view in our democratic country, which is Christian no longer.

So, as GP Taylor suggested, surely it is time that the teaching of religion became a compulsory subject, more important even in value than English, maths and science? It might also be the case that faith schools should be abolished so as to ensure that fanaticism of any type is made as difficult to encourage as is possible.

I write from the background of having taught RE in a secondary modern school and being chairman of governors in a Church of England voluntary-controlled infant school of over 300 pupils, over 70 per cent of whom were Muslims.

From: Bob Watson, Baildon.

THE atrocities in France are a wake-up call for the rest of the world – if any was actually needed.

The worry is that there is still a complacent attitude to the problems caused by Islamic fundamentalism, this perhaps being underlined by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon stating that it is not about religion, but a purely unacceptable terrorist attack, criminality (The Yorkshire Post, January 10).

Well I am sorry, but there are very many, even moderate, Muslims who will tell you – when pressed – that it is most certainly about religion.

If it is indeed nothing to do with religion – and bearing in mind the bad name that it unfortunately gives to all Muslims – then why aren’t those communities coming out forcefully, in words and protest marches, against all such perpetrators, including Isis? The silence of many is deafening, and perhaps speaks volumes.

From: Paul Andrews, Great Habton, Malton.

BILL Carmichael is right to put the pessimistic point of view (The Yorkshire Post, January 9). It is a view shared by many people and ought to be properly debated.

If we want to stop Islamic terrorism, an effort should be made to take a good hard look at its causes, without being restricted by prejudice or political correctness.

Terrorist attacks are perhaps the symptoms of a much deeper problem.

From: John Watson, Leyburn.

I AGREE with everything Bill Carmichael says about the atrocities in Paris (The Yorkshire Post, January 9).

The excuses and platitudes coming from Western leaders are beginning to become parrot fashion.

They say that these villains are lost souls seeking martydom. They may be just that, but who supplies them with the ideas and the weapons? You can’t go into a shop or store and buy an AK47, the favourite weapon of the assassin.

As an Anglican, I respect all religions, and there are hundreds, but it seems to be only from Islam that we get the villains who yearn for jihad and the after-life. It only takes one or two to cause upheaval and fear worldwide. What would be the reaction of our leaders if we had a suicide bomber amongst us, very nearly undetectable?

There must be an answer somewhere to this horror, and I think it can only come from the spiritual leaders of the creed that they worship.

There used to be a saying that “the pen is mightier than the sword”. Let us hope that still applies, and if so let it become a memorial to those who lost their lives in Paris.

From: Phil Hanson, Baildon, Shipley.

JANUARY 7, 2015, was a landmark day in Britain as well as in Paris.

We saw in both countries how freedom of speech is under attack, firstly by the terrorists who chose to murder journalists in a democratic country and secondly by the behaviour of the BBC on two issues.

The BBC has, for some reason known only to them, undertaken a witch hunt against Ched Evans, it seems the full weight of the BBC is behind the drive to hound this man out of any employment.

Secondly, with all the events of Paris, the BBC Have Your Say resorted to discussing fast charge batteries and new car sales. Any attempt to discuss adult, relevant matters of the day were quashed in seconds, the full BBC machine starving any prospect of serious discussion on relevant news.

It is certain that the BBC has not progressed and still sees itself as a propaganda machine, usually for Labour.

From: Christine McDade, Morton on Swale, North Yorkshire.

I REFER to your article (The Yorkshire Post, January 10) regarding the visit by Prince Harry to the French Embassy to sign the Book of Condolence following the atrocities in Paris earlier in the week. I quote: “With warmest best wishes”. Not an appropriate comment, surely.

From: Frank Greenway, Steeton.

SOME time ago, I wrote commending Bill Carmichael for his “telling it how it is” style of commentary, but having read his piece (The Yorkshire Post, January 9), I felt moved to write again as I feel that he has surely hit the nail on the head.